Wild Edric's root shader friend, Salvia namaensis which is native to South Africa.

Melissa

Very nice, Melissa. The leaves really stay incredibly healthy, although the bottom ones tend to dry and discolor, especially on the ones I have in the sun. I've been taking off the buds on the ones in the sun since the flowers look awful even before opening fully in the summer heat. The one in part shade has a very pretty flower until the second day. I'm looking forward to how the rose will perform in the cooler weather. In spring the flower was beautiful, with a wonderful fragrance. Thorny little devil though, with those typical rugosa spikes all along the branches.

Ingrid

I was looking for this rose, and it doesn't seem Heirloom carries it anymore. I called David Austin and they said it was not suitable for the US. Any ideas of why? And who might carry it?

That seems like a rather blanket statement to say it's not suitable for the U.S. when it has umpteen different climate zones. I would suspect it might not have been a good seller and therefore not profitable for them to market it here. I have four but they're still too young to say much more about them than I did last August. In a few more months they will have bloomed and put on more new foliage, and I'll post some pictures at that point. Of course if there is no source here that won't help you, but I suspect that in my ever hotter and drier climate this will not be a star performer.

Thank you, Ingrid, for your helpful comments. I live in zone 5, so quite different from your climate. I was able to find and order Wild Edric from Hortico. Although I know Hortico gets mixed reviews, the Lady Emma Hamilton I got from them a couple years ago is growing nicely, true to name, and was a real bargain at $7.50 plus shipping (due to being a smaller grade).

Oh, I'm so glad you were able to get it after all. It should do well in your zone, probably better than in mine. I noticed that someone had chewed off a few of the buds, probably the squirrels, even though I have a thorny barrier around the ones near "Squirrel Hill". So far the buds on the two closer to the house have been untouched.

Wild Edric is one of my favorite roses and best performers. He is very happy in fast-draining, quite depleted soil (sandy/rocky) with little organic material and in the root zone of a huge ash tree. Thrives on neglect. I don't know whether he would be as happy if given plentiful food, water, and mulch in my zone because I've never given him that. I wanted a very drought tolerant and low maintenance rose, and that is what he is here. He starts blooming early and repeats through the fall and into winter. This is one rose I wouldn't want to be without. Heavily-scented. Beautiful healthy foliage. I hope you get him Vicky. And Ingrid, if ever you don't want yours......

Melissa, I had the first bloom this year open on Wild Edric this morning. In a hot location by an asphalt driveway, and on a 90-degree day, the bloom now at 5 p.m. looks rather good instead of totally shriveled as I was afraid it would be. I do love its fragrance. Since it's done well for you for over three years I think I'll just hang on to all of mine, especially since it doesn't seem to be available in the U.S. at present.

My order at Hortico was confirmed, so I am looking forward to receiving it!

Be sure to let us know when yours blooms!